Electi (discontinued)

Capitulum 2

Beck looked on in boredom as Zara's favourite wrestler beat Tris'. The arena of the Evil reeked of sweat, blood and adrenalin. All year the Evil had awaited the Festival of Imprīmīs, a period of time which they celebrated Imprīmīa, the first empress of Malum who took down the Great Ruler, Ierosylis, by seducing him and attacking him at his most vulnerable. This wrestling match was only a part of the festival.

Malum, her country, was full of the corrupt and everyone in between, as it had always been. When the war ended, the cast-offs, rejects and pariahs were sent here to live and try to build a better community. Well, they didn't. They grew bitter and lashed out at one another.

Ruled by Mad Emperor Daemon IV, Malum was always unsafe; it was on the verge of becoming lawless. Although nobody dared openly defy his rules, Beck knew that in the darkest corners, people lay busy, plotting and scheming to overthrow the emperor. They called themselves 'the Wish of the Masses', but she knew they were just a bunch of cowards who could neither bear the demon's tyranny nor tell him to bugger off.

Zara whooped loudly, causing Beck to startle out of her thoughts. "Victory! Whoo-hoo!" She yelled, pumping her fists in the air. Beck admired her enthusiasm, but she would most definitely prefer a movie night with her friends, just stuffing her mouth with popcorn.

"Oh come on, Zara. You can't tell me you didn't see Katastrefo shifting forms," Tris whined, very disappointed his 'hero,' Draco, was losing fast.

Beck turned her head in the direction of her friend Tris, who sported cherry red hair, dark red eyes, an angular jaw and pink tinted lips. Her eyes moved over his high cheekbones and smooth, supple skin. He wore a red and black biking jacket and a white shirt underneath.

He's so cute, she mused for the millionth time. She had such a huge crush on her boy best friend. What could be more cliché than that?

"Don't tell me you put money on this guy," Beck asked, half serious. He really should stop gambling. "The wrestler is clearly a mess."

He flashed his perfect pearly whites at her. Just the right number of teeth peered through his slightly parted lips. "I'm an Imp, babe. That's what I do."

Beck turned her face away, her ears burning. Of course Tris was oblivious to this. He was a charmer, the kind of guy on the soccer team, the kind of guy who treats old ladies like queens and young girls like fragile flowers. You know, the love 'em leave 'em type.

He was an Imp, she was a Hellion and Zara was an Ogre: the three tribes in Malum. The Imps were basically jerks, but could get away with their little mischief because 'it is their right as citizens of their respectable Malum.' Typical of them. So if you see a group of people fighting, the Imps almost certainly caused the fight.

Beck rolled her eyes heavenward and glanced at her wristwatch. It was ten past four; way past her curfew. She had to go home and continue her training. Besides, they had school tomorrow since today was the last day of the festival.

She tapped on Tris' shoulder, but he was too busy yelling at Draco to get up. She didn't even bother to tap Zara; it would be futile. So she placed her chin in her palms and rested her elbows on her knees, looking on in boredom.

Soon enough, Draco lost the fight and was forced to leave the arena. A death-silence filled the auditorium as the judge of the fight came forward to ask, "Who is brave enough to go against the indestructible Katastrefo? Four thousand pounds for the winner."

"No one would. Obviously," Zara whispered from beside her. When Beck was about to second the statement, someone stood to challenge Katastrefo. It was Tris.

"I will fight him."

Oh hell no.

The crowd of people started to murmur. Then one by one, they cheered him on.